Councilman Faces Sex Charges

A Klamath Falls city councilman is accused of molesting a young boy...and the accusations are having a 'ripple effect' on the community.

60 year old Greg Taylor was charged Tuesday with first degree sexual abuse. Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb notes the charges stem from acts alleged to have taken place in Corvallis in late March...

"The allegations are sexual contact with a 4 year old boy, that has some type of family relationship to Mr. Taylor."

Taylor was arrested at Klamath Community College, where he teaches information technology. "Mister Taylor is on paid administrative leave, and all of his classes are being covered by other instructors." Adds Renee Ferguson, KCC Executive Vice-President of Administrative Services.

Chief James Hunter of the Klamath Falls Police Department notes that Taylor still represents Ward 3 on the Klamath Falls City Council, according to city charter...

"It states that the position can be deemed vacant if a felony conviction is in place. It doesn't mention an arrest for, or an allegation for - but a conviction for a felony."

Taylor was released from the Klamath County Jail after posting bail.

D.A. Caleb notes that a Benton County grand jury will still need to review the case against Taylor...

"Which is a measure 11 offense, with a possible 70 months in prison."

Taylor was elected to the Klamath Falls City Council in November of 2010.

So far, Taylor has not responded to our phonecalls and email requests for comment on his side of the story.

The Oregon Department of Justice was initially called in to assist, because the case involved an elected official. The issue has since been referred to the Benton County District Attorney's Office.

About the Author

KOTI-TV NBC2 reporter Lyle Ahrens moved from Nebraska to Klamath Falls in the late 1970's. He instantly fell in love with the mountains, the trees and the rivers, and never once regretted the move.

Lyle's job history is quite colorful. He’s managed a pizza parlor; he’s been a bartender, and a “kiwifruit grader” at an organic orchard in New Zealand. A Klamath Falls radio station hired Lyle in the mid 90's as a news writer and commercial producer. In 2004, Lyle joined the KOTI/KOBI news operation.

Lyle notes with pride that he has a big responsibility presenting the Klamath Basin to a wide and varied audience. "The on-going water crisis has underscored the fact that the people and the issues in the Klamath Basin are every bit as diverse as the terrain. Winning and keeping the trust of the viewers, as well as the newsmakers, is something I strive for with each story".

When he's not busy reporting the news, Lyle enjoys astronomy, playing guitar, fixing old radios and listening to anything by Sheryl Crow.

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